Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer .
Published on April 17, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 19 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 19 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 19 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Water • Ascorbic Acid • Squalane • Sodium Citrate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Glycerin • Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate • Xanthan Gum • Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate • Phenoxyethanol • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Hydroxide • Tetrasodium EDTA
Ascorbic Acid • Hexapeptide-5 • Water • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Squalane • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate • Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter • Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine • Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Oryza Sativa Bran Extract • Propanediol • Jojoba Esters • Tocopherol • Acetyl Zingerone • Cetyl Palmitate • Caprylyl Glycol • Cetyl Alcohol • Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax • Sodium Hydroxide • Sorbitan Olivate • Sorbitan Palmitate • Helianthus Annuus Extract • Ethylhexylglycerin • Hexylene Glycol • Sodium Phytate • Polysorbate 60 • Sorbitan Isostearate • Lecithin • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Glycine Soja Oil • Lysolecithin • Bacillus Ferment • Citric Acid • Polyglutamic Acid • Beta-Sitosterol • Phytic Acid • Squalene • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 47.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 42.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 48.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 49.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideFirst Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 19 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 19 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer.
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